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Era Vulgaris Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 233 Ratings

  • Summary: Josh Homme's fifth QOTSA disc includes guest appearances by The Strokes' Julian Casablancas and returnee Mark Lanegan. Oddly, however, the disc does not include its title track collaboration with Trent Reznor, which was released separately.

Top Track

3's & 7's
Lie, lie to my face Tell me it ain't nothing 'Cause that's what I wanna hear Take the lie to the grave That's what an old friend told me Look what... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. Uncut
    100
    They continue to find some clever ways to do a pretty dumb thing. [Jul 2007, p.112]
  2. You can hear the band rediscovering its footing as one of the strangest, funniest, and best acts of the decade.
  3. Homme's ever-catchy formula remains, but the mood is uneasy and brooding, with tracks such as 'Sick, Sick, Sick' revealing a venomous new band that's finally learned to separate business and pleasure.
  4. "Era Vulgaris" ain't vulgar at all — in fact it's musicianly as heck.
  5. Somehow, it all works together, from the psychedelic guitar warble to the bits of prog to the almost country-style harmonies.
  6. Era Vulgaris gets better with each listen, and that’s mostly due to the fact that the melodies take time to sink in.
  7. With the band sounding listless and drained of ideas, it starts trying anything.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 95
  2. Negative: 4 out of 95
  1. TomB
    Nov 30, 2009
    10
    The best album of the decade. I know it's a weak decade but I would rank this album along side Surfer Rosa, Siamese Dream, and Daydream The best album of the decade. I know it's a weak decade but I would rank this album along side Surfer Rosa, Siamese Dream, and Daydream Nation. The riff for 3s and 7s reminisces of the lone, cutting perfection of the opening seconds of Smells Like Teen Spirit. Expand
  2. slugsareburning
    Jun 15, 2007
    10
    feel good hit of the summer
  3. AlessandraD
    Jun 22, 2007
    10
    awesomely different, they rock on a whole new level.
  4. JorgeP
    Jun 4, 2007
    9
    Josh Homme and gang have managed to distill the Queens Of the Stone Age sound into an excellent and outstanding record.Even though they Josh Homme and gang have managed to distill the Queens Of the Stone Age sound into an excellent and outstanding record.Even though they received flak for Lullabies to Paralyze this record is a throwback to the lean, fast, riff driven songs of Rated R while combining the polished elements of Lullabies.Basically, if the first song doesn't grab you,the next one will, or the one after that, or the one after that....End to end genius! Expand
  5. JohnM
    Jun 25, 2007
    9
    I am a relatively recent QOTSA fan (I came on board for Lullabies). As such, I am not really judging this album in comparison to their older I am a relatively recent QOTSA fan (I came on board for Lullabies). As such, I am not really judging this album in comparison to their older catalogue; I'm judging it based on its own merits, which are legion. Although I don't think they are doing "dumb things in clever ways" as a reviewer and a listener have said. There is nothing "dumb" about this album, which I can't stop listening to, despite the fact i have two other new albums I thought I'd like more... this one keeps spinning and spinning. A great album, especially 3's & 7's, I'm Designer, and River in the Road... Expand
  6. Spin
    Jul 18, 2007
    8
    This shit grows on you. its creepy.
  7. p
    Jun 14, 2007
    2
    I love the Queens and have seen them 6 times in their various incarniations, but I am very disappointed with this album. It does not compare I love the Queens and have seen them 6 times in their various incarniations, but I am very disappointed with this album. It does not compare as a whole to any of their previous offerings, and there are no stand out tracks that pepper the previous albums either. This album certainly does not rock or have any real passion instead it sound lifeless, dull and as if the band are bored. "Turning the Screw" is not a good song let alone one to open an album with, and "Sick, Sick ,Sick" is their weakest single yet. Not a good start. "I'm a Designer" is a mismatched song with a nice hook in the middle but the surroinding music just does not fit. "Into the Hollow" is straight off Lullabies to Paralyse" and alothough a good song I can't help feeling I have heard it before. "Misfit Love" is repetative beyond belief and "Battery Acid" has a terrible song structure that I am not used to from QOTSA who have a gift of blending great heavy rock with just the right pinch of melody. "Make it Wit Chu" was my favourite favourite song for years after hearing it on Desert Sessions, but without Mark Lanegans vocals the new version is nowhere near as dirty and sexy. However it is easily the best song on the album. "3's & 7's" and "Suture up your Future" are repatative and instantly forgettable and I cant even be bothered to write about the last 2 tracks! I am hoping that Josh and Co can recover their near perfect blend of solid dirty rock and melody that I believe is the best since the Pixies and come back with a stronger less experimental album full of loud rock sooner rather than later. Expand

See all 95 User Reviews